Dementia

BioXcel Therapeutics Announces Termination of Proposed Public Offering

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

As a result of such termination, no securities of the Company are being sold pursuant to the offering.

Key Points: 
  • As a result of such termination, no securities of the Company are being sold pursuant to the offering.
  • The termination results from an assessment by the Company's management that current market conditions are not conducive for an offering on terms that would be in the best interests of the Company's stockholders.
  • In addition, the Company intends to focus on its upcoming meeting with the FDA on February 20, 2024 for its Phase 3 TRANQUILITY At Home trial.
  • The trial will evaluate BXCL501 as a potential acute treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to probable Alzheimer’s disease in the at-home setting.

Lantheus Announces Collaboration to Provide Novel Tau Imaging Agent for Large Consortium Clinical Trial Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

BEDFORD, Mass., Feb. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lantheus Holdings, Inc. (“Lantheus”) (NASDAQ: LNTH), the leading radiopharmaceutical-focused company committed to enabling clinicians to Find, Fight and Follow disease to deliver better patient outcomes, today announced a collaboration agreement with a National Institute on Aging (NIA)-sponsored study called the Consortium for Clarity in ADRD Research Through Imaging (CLARiTI). This agreement enables the consortium to use MK-6240, Lantheus’ clinical-stage F18-labeled Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging agent, in its investigation of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. MK-6240 targets aggregated tau protein in the form of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) which are a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Key Points: 
  • This agreement enables the consortium to use MK-6240, Lantheus’ clinical-stage F18-labeled Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging agent, in its investigation of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
  • MK-6240 targets aggregated tau protein in the form of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) which are a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.
  • “We are thrilled to partner with Lantheus to use MK-6240 for tau PET imaging in this important study.”
    “MK-6240 is poised to play a pivotal role in propelling Alzheimer’s diagnosis and treatment research to new heights,” said Jean-Claude Provost, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Lantheus.
  • “This agreement aligns with Lantheus’ purpose to actively cultivate collaborations that empower researchers worldwide with essential tools to accelerate clinical research and development of therapies.

A Clinically Proven Alzheimer's Treatment Revealed in a Groundbreaking Documentary Narrated by Michael Bublé

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

BURLINGAME, Calif., Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- What if an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease was already here, and nobody knew about it?

Key Points: 
  • BURLINGAME, Calif., Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- What if an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease was already here, and nobody knew about it?
  • Dr. Bredesen currently has a larger, randomized controlled clinical trial underway that is recruiting patients from six locations across the US.
  • Patients following the Bredesen Protocol and Dr Bredesen's ReCODE Program were profiled in the new documentary film, Memories for Life - Reversing Alzheimer's, which is narrated by Grammy-winner Michael Bublé.
  • The film was initially produced for NHK in Japan, where it originally aired, with additional filming, editing, and narration from Michael Bublé included for the North American market.

MGC Pharma Rebrands as Argent BioPharma in Strategic Transformation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

LONDON, Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd (LSE: MXC), (OTC: MGCLF), (ASX: MXC)  Rebrands as Argent BioPharma in Strategic TransformationMarking a significant milestone in its evolutionary journey, MGC Pharma has officially announced its rebranding to Argent BioPharma, pending approval from its shareholders. This rebranding is the culmination of an extensive restructuring, incorporating significant American capital and operational revisions. Poised for growth, Argent BioPharma is now set to emerge as a key player in the biopharmaceutical industry, leveraging cutting-edge advancements in Polypharmacology and Nanotechnology. With its presence on both the London Stock Exchange and the Australian Stock Exchange, Argent BioPharma is well-positioned to make substantial contributions to enhancing medical treatment accessibility.

Key Points: 
  • LONDON, Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd (LSE: MXC), (OTC: MGCLF), (ASX: MXC)  Rebrands as Argent BioPharma in Strategic Transformation
    Marking a significant milestone in its evolutionary journey, MGC Pharma has officially announced its rebranding to Argent BioPharma, pending approval from its shareholders.
  • Poised for growth, Argent BioPharma is now set to emerge as a key player in the biopharmaceutical industry, leveraging cutting-edge advancements in Polypharmacology and Nanotechnology.
  • With its presence on both the London Stock Exchange and the Australian Stock Exchange, Argent BioPharma is well-positioned to make substantial contributions to enhancing medical treatment accessibility.
  • As Argent BioPharma transitions from MGC Pharma, it stands ready to lead a new era in biopharmaceuticals, promising accessible and impactful healthcare solutions on a global scale.

Otsuka Announces Phase 3 Topline Results of AVP-786 in the Treatment of Agitation Associated With Dementia Due to Alzheimer’s Disease

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 12, 2024

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., (OPDC) and our parent company Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Co. Ltd. (Otsuka) announce topline results of the phase 3 clinical trial of AVP-786 in the treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (Trial 17-AVP-786-305; NCT03393520).

Key Points: 
  • Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., (OPDC) and our parent company Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Co. Ltd. (Otsuka) announce topline results of the phase 3 clinical trial of AVP-786 in the treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (Trial 17-AVP-786-305; NCT03393520).
  • There were 4 deaths reported in the trial; 1 (0.5%) in the AVP-786 low dose group and 3 (1.4%) in the placebo group.
  • Further prespecified and exploratory analyses of the data set will be conducted to determine the full potential of AVP-786 in the treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.
  • “While the result of this trial is disappointing, we plan to analyze the full data set to determine the future potential of AVP-786 in the treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.

Family caregivers face financial burdens, isolation and limited resources − a social worker explains how to improve quality of life for this growing population

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 12, 2024

Approximately 34.2 million people in the United States provide unpaid assistance to adults age 50 or above, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance.

Key Points: 
  • Approximately 34.2 million people in the United States provide unpaid assistance to adults age 50 or above, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance.
  • Among them, about 15.7 million adult family caregivers care for someone with dementia.
  • I am a licensed clinical social worker and an assistant professor of social work studying disparities in health and health care systems.

Challenges for family caregivers

  • In my research focusing on East Asian family caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementia, I discovered that Chinese American and Korean American caregivers often encounter challenging situations.
  • However, researchers are also finding that family caregivers feel more capable of managing these challenges when they can tap into formal services that offer practical guidance and insights for their situations, as well as assistance with some unique challenges involved with family caregiving.

The demographics of informal caregivers

  • More than 6 in 10 family caregivers are women.
  • While nearly half of care recipients live in their own homes, 1 in 3 live with their caregivers.
  • These caregivers are typically older, retired or unemployed and have lower income than caregivers who live separately.

Juggling caregiving with everyday life

  • Often, community-based organizations such as nonprofits that serve older adults offer a variety of in-home services and educational programs.
  • These can help family caregivers manage or reduce the physical and emotional strains of their responsibilities.
  • Research shows that those who are new to family caregiving often take care of their loved ones without any formal support initially.

Support for family caregivers

  • There are numerous programs and services available for family caregivers and their loved ones, whether they reside at home or in a residential facility.
  • For family caregivers of people with dementia, formal support services are particularly crucial to their ability to cope and navigate the challenges they face.

The role of Medicaid

  • Medicaid, which targets low-income Americans, seniors, people with disabilities and a few select other groups, has certain income requirements.
  • Determine the eligibility requirements first to find out whether your loved one qualifies for Medicaid.
  • If so, contact your state’s Medicaid office to get more information about self-directed services and whether you can become a paid family caregiver.

Medicare might help

  • Medicare may help pay for certain home health services if an older adult needs skilled services part time and is considered homebound.
  • Family caregivers who join support groups tend to manage their stress more effectively and experience an overall better quality of life.


Kathy Lee has received funding from the Alzheimer's Association - New to the Field (AARG-NTF-20-678171).

CervoMed Publishes Positive Results from AscenD-LB Phase 2a Trial in Peer-Reviewed Journal that Supports the Therapeutic Potential of Neflamapimod in Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 12, 2024

BOSTON, Feb. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CervoMed Inc. (NASDAQ: CRVO), a clinical stage company focused on developing treatments for degenerative diseases of the brain, announced that data from the AscenD-LB Phase 2a trial evaluating treatment with neflamapimod in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) were published online in the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease (JPAD). The published manuscript titled “Phase 2a learnings incorporated into RewinD-LB, a Phase 2b clinical trial of neflamapimod in dementia with Lewy bodies,” is available online.

Key Points: 
  • The published manuscript titled “Phase 2a learnings incorporated into RewinD-LB, a Phase 2b clinical trial of neflamapimod in dementia with Lewy bodies,” is available online .
  • “The publication of the EEG and MRI results round out the Phase 2a data that supports the advancement of neflamapimod into late-stage development as a treatment for DLB,” said John Alam, MD, Chief Executive Officer of CervoMed.
  • Our RewinD-LB trial, which we believe is derisked through the incorporation of learnings outlined in the publication, is highly powered and designed to stratify patients most likely to benefit from neflamapimod.
  • As evident in the table, compared to the response in the overall patient population, the magnitude of the neflamapimod treatment effect vs. placebo is substantially higher in the pure DLB patient population.

BIOXCEL ALERT: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is Investigating BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc. on Behalf of Long-Term Stockholders and Encourages Investors to Contact the Firm

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, February 10, 2024

Our investigation concerns whether the board of directors of BioXcel have breached their fiduciary duties to the company.

Key Points: 
  • Our investigation concerns whether the board of directors of BioXcel have breached their fiduciary duties to the company.
  • On December 15, 2021, the Company announced that it had initiated a program to evaluate BXCL501 for the treatment of acute agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
  • The Company announced that the program consisted of two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies: TRANQUILITY II and TRANQUILITY III.
  • BioXcel further disclosed that the fabricated email correspondence was provided to the FDA during an on-site inspection in December 2022.

Awaken Hope, Embrace Healing: The Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmune Summit 2.0

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 9, 2024

CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DrTalks, a pioneering platform dedicated to advancing health, wellness, and medicine knowledge, is proud to announce Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmune Summit 2.0. This groundbreaking virtual event serves as an important platform for people grappling with multiple sclerosis and other neuroimmune conditions, offering a beacon of hope and a wealth of knowledge. Set to take place from August 20 to 26, 2024, this summit offers free online access to everyone interested in the latest breakthroughs in holistic and natural treatments for neuroimmune conditions.

Key Points: 
  • The Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmune Summit 2.0 is a premier virtual event that provides hope, knowledge, and support for people with multiple sclerosis and other neuroimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
  • CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DrTalks , a pioneering platform dedicated to advancing health, wellness, and medicine knowledge, is proud to announce Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmune Summit 2.0 .
  • This groundbreaking virtual event serves as an important platform for people grappling with multiple sclerosis and other neuroimmune conditions, offering a beacon of hope and a wealth of knowledge.
  • Dr. Wahls brings to the summit a unique perspective on neuroimmune conditions having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Gut microbiome: meet Asaccharobacter celatus – the brain health bug

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 9, 2024

Research over recent years also suggests our gut bacteria may have a role in helping us maintain our brain health as we age.

Key Points: 
  • Research over recent years also suggests our gut bacteria may have a role in helping us maintain our brain health as we age.
  • My own preliminary research suggests one gut bug in particular called Asaccharobacter celatus (A celatus) could be useful.

Cognitive impairment and dementia

  • Worryingly, this often progresses to more severe impairment of brain function known as dementia.
  • Dementia affects more than 55 million people around the world, and projections suggest this number will increase to 82 million by 2030.

How gut bacteria could help

  • The bacteria in our gut perform functions that benefit our overall health.
  • A celatus, along with certain other bacteria, is capable of producing a compound known as equol.
  • These bacteria make equol from a compound called daidzein, which is found in soy products including soy milk, tofu and tempeh.
  • In many cases, we can influence the make-up of our gut bacteria through our diet, and this appears to be true for A celatus.
  • Read more:
    Gut bacteria rewind ageing brain in mice

    However, other research has shown consumption of soy foods in the diet has no effect on cognitive function.

  • All this suggests that, alongside the bacteria, we already have in our gut microbiome, what we eat could be equally important.

My research

  • This relates to complex cognitive tasks we perform daily, including doing maths in our head, or reorganising the day’s tasks in our mind when something unexpectedly changes.
  • This research appears promising, but we need more evidence to confirm the potential benefits of both A celatus bacteria and soy foods in helping older people maintain their brain health as they age.
  • Each week we will look at a different microbe and bring you the most up-to-date research on them.
  • Nathan Nuzum currently works at University College Cork as part of APC Microbiome and receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the INSPIRE COFUND Marie Skłodowska Curie grant agreement No.
  • The unpublished/original work referred to in this article was conducted at Deakin University as part of Dr. Nathan Nuzum's PhD.
  • Dr. Nuzum's PhD supervisors for this work includes his primary supervisor Dr. Helen Macpherson, and his co-supervisors (in alphabetical order) Drs.